Tag: Shake Some Action

Emperor Penguin and Shake Some Action

powerpopaholic
Emperor Penguin

Emperor Penguin “Sunday Carvery”

While London band Emperor Penguin’s sound is rooted in late ‘60s UK psych and ‘90s Britpop, they’ve updated the music closer to what 21st-century audiences expect. Starting with the heavy fuzz emo and beats of “Desdemona” it then settles into the catchy “Sputnik Sweetheart,” a love song about a Russian space satellite. The brilliant narrative of “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing” is like a joyous mix of XTC and Smash Mouth, about a dysfunctional marriage. “Motorway” is a jaunty tune with happy Sgt. Peppers horns following our hero down a British highway. And the “Queen of Power Pop” Lisa Mychols joins the boys for the duet “Let Me Take You On Holiday,” continuing the positive vibes.

The stylistic diversity of songs and subject matter prevents any predictability. “Fran Times a Zillion” is a unique “sports team chant” for New York photographer Fran Lebowitz (?) and you take it all in. And not a note of filler here, and these are all songs where details emerge on multiple listens. The richness of the experience makes this one both highly recommended and a check box for my top ten list of 2022.

Amazon


Shake Some Action

Shake Some Action “Wide Awake”

James Hall is back with the addition of Corey Knafelz on drums, keys, and guitar on a new Shake Some Action LP, and just in time for the warmer weather. Wide Awake is neo-psych-pop at its finest, with a wicked jangle and the right amount of echoing reverb, mixing influences from the late ’60s through the ’90s into something very appealing. “Paint You A Picture” is the expansive opener, meant to be cranked up with the car windows down. The title track has Hall’s harmonic chorus drifting across the dense rhythms, as with the steady follow-up “Crash Through Or Crash.”

Hall successfully constructs these songs with ringing Rickenbackers but takes great care not to repeat himself. “Night Train to Munich” can resemble The Ocean Blue, and “Don’t Take It Out On Me” warps the guitar sound almost like U2. Add to this no filler, and the variety helps make this one of my favorite SSA albums. Added faves here include “Angel of Night” and “Overboard.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon

November EPs and Singles: Shake Some Action!, The Thin Cherries, repeat repeat, Orbis Max, Adam Marsland, John Myrtle, Eggs On Mars, Clockwise

powerpopaholic

We start our November selection with the welcome return of Shake Some Action‘s “Break It Down,” it’s a slow-burning hook that sticks in your head quickly. The Thin Cherries are a Chicago band with a little more alt. rock feel, and the jangle band *repeat repeat gives a freebie that’s pretty cool with a nice beat. However, the best freebie of this month is the work of Orbis Max; as he collaborates with some of my favorite artists like Danny Wilkerson, Lannie Flowers, Ed Ryan, Lisa Mychols, and more. Adam Marsland has remixed and remastered his final album, The Owl and The Full Moon, and Beach Boys fans will want to soak that in. UK singer-songwriter John Myrtle has that retro-pop vibe with a great ballad “Get Her Off My Mind,” check out the entire LP for more. Kansas City’s Eggs on Mars serves up a smooth EP that boasts Midwestern charm and hooks, and Toronto’s Claude Kent (aka Clockwise) delivers an EP that reminds me of early Joe Jackson, full of sweet pop hooks.







More September Singles and EPs: The Amplifier Heads, Shake Some Action!, The Nobility, The Cheap Cassettes, Alex Dominish, Richard Turgeon, On The Runway, Meyverlin

powerpopaholic

September isn’t over yet, and neither are the new singles and EPs from great power pop artists. The Amplifier Heads signed with Rum Bar Records and  Sal “Shag 72” Baglio (The Stompers & The Peppermint Kicks) rocks out with this new Glamtastic single “SaturmalienS”. It’s also so nice to hear Shake Some Action! again and “Break It Down” mixes psych-pop and jangling rhythms to perfection. Nashville’s The Nobility gives us “The Sweetest Sound” and it is indeed a great tune — let’s hear more of this! With the end of the season, The Cheap Cassettes make it official with the slow R&B rocker “Endless Summer Ends.”

A few EPs here are also worth a download; Richard Turgeon gets reflective with a series of Campfire Songs. The buzzing anthem of “Be Who You Really Want To Be” and “Line of Sight (Tahoe Song)” recall classic-era REM. Memphis-based On The Runway is a new band created by Randy Norris and John “Boz” Boswell (Crash into June) with help from Neilson Hubbard, and Will Kimbrough. The easy-going mood of “This Charade,” and “Stuck On You” lifts you up and sticks with you. Alex Dominish is the guitarist for the Showboat Branson Belle (Branson, Missouri) and he’s got a bouncy, poppy sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face; be it first romance (“Rockin’ Steady”) or first job (“Desk Job”). Finally, a video from the upcoming band Meyverlin is here. The LP is out next month, they have a distinct ’80s influence, fans of the Cure will like this one.








Video premieres and singles: Chris Berardo, Willie Wisely, Brent Windler, Welcome Center, Vintage Fiction, Shake Some Action!, Richard Turgeon

powerpopaholic

VIDEO PREMIERE: Chris Berardo goes full power pop with a cover of Badfinger’s classic “Baby Blue.” When asked why he wanted to cover the song he said “I’d always been a huge fan of Badfinger’s music, just such a fantastic blend of melodies, great harmony singing and rock-solid playing.” Get the single here: Amazon

Willie Wisely goes back to his power pop roots with “The Automaton.” This is the Wisely we know and love, so it’s great to hear him poke that bear once in a while. Get the Maxi-single here: Amazon

Brent Windler shows us a terrific video from his upcoming 2021 debut record New Morning Howl. The LP will be out worldwide on August 20, 2021. I can’t wait, as it sounds awesome so far. Get it here: Amazon

Welcome Center is a band that has a great mix of influences, so fans of Death Cab For Cutie and Phoenix are sure to enjoy “Parasite City.” Get it here: Amazon

Vintage Fiction‘s psych-rock single, “Alright, Okay” sways back and forth in its own mellow vibe. A part of the EP Caution in Vogue. Check it out on Spotify


So nice to hear new music from Shake Some Action! The jangle-tastic band with James Hall has a freebie for you! Take it now, or live with the shame of not getting great power pop. New LP coming soon this summer!


Richard Turgeon is earning a new moniker for me as ‘King of Dad Rock’ with his new single “Forgiveness,” and he’s been tirelessly pouring out covers, all of them compiled here: Vol. One and Vol. Two

Shake Some Action and Ulysses

powerpopaholic
Shake Some Action

Shake Some Action “Thirty Nine”

Once again James Hall (aka Shake Some Action) continues to prove his melodic skills as he moves beyond the familiar jangle pop. Thirty Nine is a psychedelic noir soundtrack about crimes, starting with “Mr. Memory,” with a richly layered chorus flanked by fuzz guitars. The song has great textures, as it intones the biblical “Only the truth will set you free.” Next, the plot thickens on “Walk With Danger” as the slow organ chords remind me of The Doors. The guitar chimes in again on “Hide Me Disguise Me,” a neat tune about a guy having a clandestine affair.

The echoing bass and ominous atmosphere of “The Crofter’s Wife” recall an Oasis ballad at times, and “Stranger In The House” has this awesome echoing surf guitar that’s almost goth (fans of Bauhaus take note). Another catchy highlight, “Hard Act To Follow” has a smart hook that deserves multiple repeats. Hall does a great job as usual and makes each song a compelling listen, including the blistering closer “Can’t Get Her Out Of My Mind.” It’s been a while since I heard a really well-done concept LP — Bravo, James! Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Ulysses

Ulysses “On Safari”

From Bath (UK) there comes a multi-talented band called Ulysses. The band is Luke Smyth (vocals, guitars), Jimmy Peppers (bass, vocals), Denny Peppers (guitars, vocals) and Shane Maxymus (drums/vocals). Stylistically the band runs from power pop, glam, hard rock, and all psychedelic points in between. Opening with the guitar-sitar-raga “Looking For A Guru” includes buzzing riffs, mantra-like rhythm and offbeat humor similar to early 10cc. This style follows on the funky “Doctors and Nurses,” and then it goes all out glam on the big highlights “Bad Tattoo” and “Dragon,” guaranteed to get your head bopping.

It takes a lighter turn on “This Useless Love” that makes use of harp-like acoustics and harmonies. But this break yields for more 70’s-styled guitar gems on the fuzz-covered “She” and the ELO meets Thin Lizzy buzz of “Let’s Move.” The shifting psychedelics of “Married Woman” and quirky boogie of “Why Aren’t These People My Friends?” are pure delights to listen to. The band can do these just as well as the pure power pop of  “Fuzzy Lion,” and it’s the variety and versatility that is a huge strength for Ulysses. Definitely Highly Recommended!

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik